DUBAI // On a day when the UK announced its intention to launch air strikes on targets in Syria, a group of amateur rugby players from Damascus were pursuing their passion on the playing fields of Dubai.
The Zenobians, a club named after a Syrian queen who ruled in 271AD, was formed in 2004 and reached its zenith in winning the Gulf Men's Social at the 2011 Dubai Rugby Sevens.
At that point, the list of playing members at the club stretched to 75, and included French oil workers, as well as several other Europeans who had travelled to Damascus to study Arabic.
Read more: Catch all of The National's Dubai Sevens preview coverage here
The conflict that has ravaged the country since then led to an exodus of the international community. The rugby club has been maintained, but the playing numbers have dwindled.
The remaining players have funded their trip to Dubai themselves, but the visa process meant some capable players were unable to attend.
“After 2011 we had special circumstances in Syria,” Mohammed Jarkou, who says he has done his best to try to coach the side since their previous one returned to the UK in 2011, said.
“Many people left after 2011, so we have no more international players, and 99 per cent are Syrians.”
Despite the obvious challenges, Jarkou wants to grow rugby in Syria and become a source of national pride.
“Our intention is to participate in tournaments, make good results, play for your country, and try to make your country proud about you,” Jarkou said.
“Rugby is still a newborn baby in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
“Nobody has heard of it. If you speak to people, they say, ‘Rugby, I know rugby; the one with helmets and shoulder pads. You guys are Americans.’ We want to get good press. Hopefully that way we can grow the game wider and we can get people to play the game.
“You do not need a specific type of body, like you need to be tall to play basketball. Everybody can join us.”
Ghaith Jalajel, Asia Rugby’s development officer for the region, said the Zenobians are a club for which rugby should be proud.
“To me having a team from Syria represents everything rugby is all about,” Jalajel said. ”The will of the players to play and enjoy rugby beats all difficulties they probably face in their country.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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